Rope ascender or descender



(No Model.)

W. E. BURKE.

ROPE ASGENDER 0R DESGBNDER.

No; 598,976. Patented Feb. 15, 1898.

INVENTOR I WILLIAM E BURKE.

Atlorney m: NORRIS PETERS c0. PHaro-Lnna, WASHINGTON, 0 c4 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE. 7

WILLIAM E. BURKE, OF WIOTA, WISCONSIN.

ROPE ASCENDER OR DESCENDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 598,976, dated February 15, 1898.

Application filed March 31, 189'7.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, WILLIAM E. BURKE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Wiota, in the county of Lafayette and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Rope Ascenders or Descenders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. 1

This invention has for its object, primarily, to provide a simple and cheap device for aiding' in the climbing of a rope or the descent on the same. It is especially adapted for use by most all classes of workmen-such as painters, carpenters, miners, and the like and will serve effectually as a fire-escape. It is a device adapted to travel upon a rope and to support the operator, while at the same time the person thereon can operate the device to cause the same to ascend or descend, as he may desire.

The device is simple in its nature, yet strong and durable, easily operated, will not out or injure the rope, and as it weighs but little it can be easily transported. It may be carried by traveling men or others in their hand-satchels and is always ready for use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined by the appended claims.

The invention is clearly. illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon,' form a part of thisspecification, and in which-- Figure 1 is a view showing the application of the invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the device. through the same. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the clutch or grip.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates two horizontallydisposed bars or arms of suitable material and length and strength. These are provided between their. ends each with a foothold B, suitably secured thereto,or it may be integral therewith and of sufficient size to readily receive the foot of the operator. These two Fig. 3 is a sectional view Serial No. 630,046. (No man.)

arms or bars are provided at one end with the upwardly-extending bifurcated portions 0,

which are pivotally united by a pivot D, as shown. Each arm or bar is further provided with the downwardly-extending and inclined arm E, one of which is provided with the vertical portion F, from opposite ends of which extend the horizontal portions G,having openings H, through which the rope is designed to pass. The other inclined arm E terminates in the vertical portion I, which is adapted to work between the horizontal portions G of the part F, as shown. Its acting face may be roughened or corrugated, if desired.

In practice the device is sleeved upon the rope X, which passes through the openings in the horizontal portions G and between the forks of the bifurcated portions of the main arms or bars, as shown. The rope is securely fastened at its upper end and the operator standsupon the device with his feet in the footholds B, although these might sometimes be omitted and the operator stand upon the upper face'of the arms A, if desired. When the weight of the person is on the arms, the grip firmly engages the rope and supports the operator, but when the operator grasps the rope with his hands and relieves the, arms of his weight the device will be free to move upon the rope and the operator can cause the same to ascend or descend, as he may desire, all that it is necessary to do being to 'place his weight upon the devicewhen he desires to stop or to rest. 'Theuser canregulate his descent as occasion may require.

Modifications in detail may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

What is claimed as new is 1. The combination with the arms having bifurcated portions connected pivotally together by a pin bridging the space between the overlapped ends of the bifurcated portion, of the portions depending from the adjacent ends of said arms, the one having horizontal portions with openings to receive a rope and the other with a vertical portion adapted to be received between the horizontal portions and form a grip to hold the rope, as set forth.

2. The device described consisting of the arms having bifurcated inclined portions and footholds upon their under sides, the bolt connecting the bifurcated portions, the inclined arms depending from said arms and Supporting a vertical portion having an opening for the passage of the rope, the vertical portion carried by one of the inclined arms and having horizontal portions with openings to receive a rope, and a vertical gripping-face on the other inclined arm adapted to work. between said horizontal portions, all IO substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereofi I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM E. BURKE. Witnesses:

JOHN G. HIGGINS, W. W. POWERS. 

